Coaster-craft



A. L. GAVLEK COASTER-GRAFT Dec. 28, 1965 Filed May 8, 1964 IN V EN TOR.

H TTdRA/f Y United States Patent 3,225,367 COASTER-CRAFT Andrew L.Gavlek, 900 N. Buchanan, Green Bay, Wis. Filed May 8, 1964, Ser. No.366,073 1 Claim. (Cl. 9-1) This invention relates generally tocoaster-craft and more particularly to a vessel adapted for use eitheras a coaster for coasting down snowy slopes or as a craft or boat forself-propelled movement on water or as a water ski to be towed.

The purpose of this invention is to adapt the usual concave-convexcoaster for greater and novel utility.

An object of this invention is the provision of a concave-convex coasterbody having transom means former thereon, for the attachment of anoutboard motor thereto.

Another object is the provision of a concave-convex coaster body incombination with an outboard motor for propelling said coaster body.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of aconcavo-convex coaster body in combination with rudder means forcontrolling said coaster body in water.

Yet another object is to provide a concave-convex coaster body withrudder means for directionally steering said coaster on a snowy slope.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a coaster havingan insulated floor supported by said insulation, such as cork orexpanded polystyrene.

Still a further object is to provide a concave-convex coaster of acapacity for seating a plurality of people, such as a family group.

Yet a further object is to provide a concave-convex coaster having aninturned rim.

Other specific objects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereofand wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of the generally concave-convex body of theinvention, showing a chord like transom formed integrally therewith forthe attachment of an outboard motor thereto;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section view taken on line 33 of FIG.1, showing the integral transom and an outboard motor secured thereto;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view of the transom, takenon line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3, showing asimplified rudder means.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is showna concave-convex disclike or segmental spherical-like body, generallyindicated at 10, not unlike a coaster or saucer, or the like, having aconvex bottom 11 and a continuous side wall 12 extending upwardlytherefrom and merging therewith on a smooth gradual curve, said annularside 12 terminating at its upper reaches in an integral rim or ribgenerally indicated at 13. Included in said rim and sidewall is anintegral upright planar transom 14 for the securement thereto of aconventional outboard motor means generally indicated at 15, saidtransom structure extending above said rim and being thickly and solidlyreinforced to suitably support said motor.

The remaining portion of said rim is hollow and tubular except for asmall solid section 16 at the front end of the body 10, diametricallyopposite the transom, for

the attachment thereto of towline connector means generally indicated at17.

i The tubular rim or rib is inturned and projects inwardly of the sidewall 12 to provide a substantially continuous stop edge for theprevention of an unexpected displacement of an occupant from thecoaster-craft, and to otherwise provide a continuous cleat-like elementagainst which an occupant can brace himself against the sharp gyratoryand sashay movements of the operating coaster-craft.

The motor means 15 is secured to the transom 14 by means of a C-clamp 18provided with tightener screw means 19, said C-clamp being part of themotor means 15 and being adapted to receive and embrace the upperportion of the transom and bear thereon and be supported thereby.

The somewhat flat and narrow integral housings 21 and 22 provide ruddermeans, controllable by handle 20, when the propeller 23 is not rotatingand driving. Obviously, during normal operation of the motor, the motoris pivotally controllable about a vertical axis thereby providing rudderaction, through means of the driving propeller.

The connector means 17 comprises an eyebolt 24 threadedly engaged insolid rim section 16, and a ring 25 interlocked therewith. A towline 26is connectable to said connector means 17 through means of a swivel snap27 secured to said towline and snapped on said ring 25.

A floor or deck 28 is provided spaced above the bottom 11, said floorbeing welded to the inner periphery of the bottom 11 by any means so asto provide an air tight chamber 29 between said bottom and said deck,said air chamber being filled with expanded polystyrene 31, such asStyrofoam, or the like, to make the coaster-craft buoyant, provide asupporting medium for the floor 28, and to provide an insulated floor.Cork can also be used as such filler.

The deck 28 provides a flat floor surface facilitating the use of thecoaster-craft.

In the event the walls of the air chamber are caused to leak, thecellular Styrofoam will sustain the coaster-craft buoyant.

While it is preferred that the coaster-craft be molded of a thermosetting resin and glass fiber, such as Fiberglas, or the like, it is notlimited to such material. It is to be understood that any materialsuitable for the purpose may be used.

While it is preferred that the coaster-craft be of a diameter to providean area sufficient to hold and seat a plurality of occupants, includinga family group, the coaster-craft may be of a size to accommodate only asingle person.

FIG. 5 shows a modification wherein a simplified rudder 32 is used inlieu of the rudder means of outboard motor 15. The simplified rudder 32is especially adapted for use while the coaster-craft is being towed onwater, for the control thereof; and otherwise for use when the coasteris used for coasting down snowy slopes wherein the simplified rudder,having its knife edge 33 in engagement with such snowy slope, controlsthe coaster much like the steering runner of an ice boat. Saidsimplified rudder 32 is pivotally mounted on C-clamp means 34 throughmeans of a pin 35, and controlled through means of handle 36.

In operation, when used in conjunction with motor 15, the coaster-craftis self-propelled thereby, and because of its circular configuration,and spherical-like bottom presenting an inclined bow for substantially360 degrees, such coaster-craft is capable of very sharp turns, andunusual gyratory movements.

When towed on water, the rudder provides a control of the coaster-craftfor unusual chassing movements.

When used for coasting down a snowy slope, the rudder provides controlmeans for directional steering of the coaster, and for maintaining astabilized orientation of the coaster.

Some characteristic features of this invention are the provision of aconcavo-convex coaster having a transom means formed thereon; thecombination of a concaveconvex coaster and an outboard motor means; thecombination of a concavo-convex coaster and rudder means for controllingsaid coaster in water; the combination of a concave-convex coaster andrudder means, having a sharp edge for directionally steering saidcoaster on a snowy slope; the provision of a concave-convex coasterhaving an insulated floor; the provision of a concavoconvex coasterhaving a floor insulated by means of Styrofoam whereby said Styrofoamsupports said floor; and the provision of a concavo-convex coasterhaving a capacity for seating a plurality of people, such as a familygroup.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood, that within the scope of the appended claim, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

A coaster-craft, comprising: a generally concavoconvex disc-like bodyhaving a smooth bottom and having sidewalls terminating in an inturnedrim extending from one side of said transom to the other side of saidtransom, and said transom extending above said rim; a deck disposedcentrally of and spaced above the bottom of said body; expandedpolystyrene in the space between said deck and said bottom forsupporting said deck; steering means including a rudder and a tillerpivotally mounted on said transom for directionally controlling saidbody,

said rudder having a knife edge along the bottom edge thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,551,906 5/1951Schatfhausen 280-12 2,615,495 10/ 1952 Hilliker. 2,724,356 11/ 1955Szakacs 11439 2,826,423 3/ 195 8 Erickson. 3,123,374 3/1964 MacLeod280-12 3,170,436 2/ 1965 Deutsch 15 O70 X FOREIGN PATENTS 549,025 7/1956 Belgium.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

